Germany
Tour Days 6 and 7
Banner picture above - Stream in the English Garden, Munich, Germany.
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We arrive in Munich about 6 pm., check into hotel, freshen up and head off for the center of the city. We are led on a walking tour of the area, major sites introduced. We come to the Hof Brau Haus. A famous hall and very popular beer hall. It is well known as a place Hitler frequented in the years leading to the creation of the socialist party.
We are finally at our restaurant for dinner. Once upstairs our group takes up half of the floor. By the time we were done the meal has become be one of the more memorable ~ more laughter, cheer and fun with our travel companions. Maybe it was the food, maybe the beer in liter steins or the camaraderie after an emotionally draining day. Whatever the reason it was a magical night filled with wonderful food and contagious laughter.
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Walking through the beautiful gardens we stumble upon surfing... yes people surfing! In the middle of Munich a stream has been diverted underground, reappearing in the gardens. Underwater barriers produce a standing wave where brave souls surf. (See video to the right.)
The temperature that day was about 60 degrees, overcast, damp and chilly. Yet four or five surfers appeared in wet suits to enjoy the sport. (Some need more practice.)
Planning Tip: Don't pack and carry everything for every contingency. When it rained we purchased a 4 euro umbrella instead of lugging one from the US. There are stores in Europe.
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Tour point: Prior to the trip I was concerned about some of the long bus rides. Turns out I needn't have been concerned. They offered an opportunity to relax, catch up on reading or sleeping, or conversing with new friends. They are a different way to see the countryside. The Rick Steves' approach has us on the same bus the entire trip. That meant we could leave items on the bus and not carry these into multiple hotels or from bus to train to bus, a nice advantage..
We left Lauterbrunnen for a relaxing ride through the countryside, destination Munich, Germany. The itinerary called for a scenic drive through the Austrian Alps with a later afternoon stop at the Dachau concentration camp.
Not spelled out in the itinerary, and entirely because of our guide's imagination and creativity, we took a 20 minute detour to Liechtenstein. Why? So that we could say we were there. So that we could get another stamp in our passport! The creation of the EU has removed travel restriction and also reduced passport stamps. For 2 euro you can get a stamp in Lichtenstein. Silly, but fun for the new travelers. The poet Johann Wolfang von Goethe lived in the house pictured here!
Next stop was the Dachau concentration camp. Somber, quiet, tense and sad. Not like the exciting and upbeat events to date. But such a significant part of history one wants at least the opportunity to visit. We remembered all those who lost their lives here, and visited the convent where prayers for the dead are said daily and added our own.
Does it get any better moment
In the center of Munich, in the courtyard listening to Patrick describe the rebuilding of Munich after the wars. He pointed out the church where he was baptized.
We awoke Monday morning in Munich, then headed off to the main square to meet our local guide, Patrick. Another of the fantastic guides we had, Patrick was a native of Munich, having grown up in the area. We would eventually see a magnificent church. Nearly destroyed in the war then rebuilt by the locals, including his parents. They used bricks from their own damaged and destroyed houses to complete it. Patrick would be baptized in that very church. He had many amazing stories to tell. Not all personal, but all interesting and delivered with enthusiasm.
We walked around a six block area, seeing old churches and historic buildings as well as more modern stores built in similar architectural styles. Until told you don't realize that 50% of this was destroyed in the wars and was carefully rebuilt to look as it had been earlier.
Around noon we were set free to explore as we wanted, in the Rick Steves' approach. We ate lunch with friends then explored the nearby English gardens before heading to Octoberfest.
Our tour allowed us to be in Munich during Octoberfest ... the authentic version. We left the gardens and made our way to Octoberfest.
There we were surprised. The sterotypical version from the US is a beer tent with drinking and singing. We enter from the west gate and find an amusement park. Rides, food, games! Similar to what we find at home, but with more beer and wine on the midway.
To the right side we find the beer halls. These were owned by the 8 major breweries in Germany and theirs were the only brands allowed. They are large, noisy halls with singing and huge mugs of beer everywhere. Though early in the evening there was no seating ~ a reservation would have helped.
We head back to our hotel, tired, but looking forward to moving on to our next destination, Venice Italy.
There was also a feeling of foreboding as we realized we were passing the mid point of the tour and we really will have to go home in another week. But it was still a week away and tomorrow would be Venice.